2008 Frontiers in Research Award

Dr. Marco Marra

Director, Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre

Dr. Marco Marra is an internationally renowned expert in physical mapping and sequencing of genomes. Marra's work focuses on cancer research and the understanding of cancer through genome and gene analysis. But his contributions also address other areas with global impact, including his acclaimed work in the Human Genome Project and the sequencing of the SARS coronavirus-a discovery that initiated numerous activities within British Columbia to develop a vaccine and other therapeutics. In 1999, he established Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, a state-of-the-art facility applying genomics and bioinformatics tools and technologies to cancer and disease research. Here, Marra continues to raise the bar of research excellence by establishing the technology for a next-generation DNA sequencing platform, a powerful leading edge technology in the understanding of cancer genomics and the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic and currently one of four in the world.

Work and Achievements

Human Genome Project: Identified human genes at an unprecedented scale (Expressed Sequence Tags) and devised and perfected the technology required to map the human genome.
In 1999, established the Genome Sciences Centre in Vancouver, B.C.
In 2003, sequenced the SARS coronavirus.
Establishing the technology for a next-generation DNA sequencing platform within the Genome Sciences Centre (with support from the British Columbia Cancer Foundation, Western Economic Diversification, Canada and Genome British Columbia.
Terry Fox Young Investigator Award, National Cancer Institute of Canada (2004). BC Biotech’s Innovation and Achievement Award (2004).
Distinguished Achievement Award, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, (2006-2007).
Fellow, Life Sciences Division of Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada (2007).
Merck Frosst Prize, Canadian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology (2007).

Acclaim

"Dr. Marra would be a very worthy recipient of this award, in recognition of the cutting edge expertise and scientific initiatives he has brought to and enabled within British Columbia."
- Dr. Steven Jones, Associate Director and Head, Bioinformatics, Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre

"Dr. Marra is virtually certain to be at the leading edge of genome science over the next decade and beyond. Under his leadership at the BCCA Genome Sciences Centre, Dr. Marra has created an outstanding team of principal investigators, students, postdoctoral fellows, technical personnel and bioinformaticians that is at the highest international standard."
- Dr. Philip Hieter, Director, Michael Smith Laboratories

Individual Media Kit | PDF

Photo credit: Gary Schwartz